GamblingNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94GamblingTue, 22 Nov 2016 08:25:22 +0000Gamblinghttp://wyso.org
Andy Chow (Ohio Statehouse News Bureau)Casino regulators are cracking down on sketchy gaming facilities that are breaking the law by trying to imitate operations such as Chuck-E-Cheese and Dave and Busters. Except for at the state’s four casinos, Ohio law forbids people from operating games that do not rely completely on skill and that payout cash prizes. But the state’s casino control commission has seen an increase in so-called “skill game” parlors popping up around Ohio. The commission’s Andromeda Morrison says they’re now creating more rules to license legitimate skill game facilities and weed out the bad actors. “With this licensing scheme it gives the state powers that it hasn’t had the entire time that these purported skill game operators have been operating in order to target them and get them out of the state,” she says. These establishments claim to be conducting games that take skill but they’re essentially slot machines. Casino Regulators Crackdown On Sketchy Gaminghttp://wyso.org/post/casino-regulators-crackdown-sketchy-gaming
88518 as http://wyso.orgWed, 16 Nov 2016 21:47:36 +0000Casino Regulators Crackdown On Sketchy GamingAssociated PressThe Ohio Supreme Court has ruled an anti-gambling group fighting Gov. John Kasich's (KAY'-sik's) decision to legalize slots-like video lottery terminals at seven horse tracks lacks standing to sue while another plaintiff can continue his challenge. Thursday's ruling upholds a lower court ruling that the Ohio Roundtable and others lacked legal standing. It reversed the dismissal of another plaintiff's challenge before he had a change to present arguments. The group filed its lawsuit in 2011 against Kasich and various Ohio agencies. It argued that it was unconstitutional to expand the lottery without putting the question to voters. The state's attorneys say Kasich was within his rights. The group says it's disappointed with Thursday's ruling and is weighing its options. The state says Ohio likely will prevail in the remaining challenge. Anti-gambling Group Can't Sue Over Slotshttp://wyso.org/post/anti-gambling-group-cant-sue-over-slots
79172 as http://wyso.orgThu, 24 Mar 2016 23:17:15 +0000Anti-gambling Group Can't Sue Over SlotsAssociated PressTax revenue from Ohio's four full-service casinos shows a slight increase in the third quarter of the year. The Ohio Department of Taxation report for the period ending Sept. 30 says the casinos produced $66.6 million dollars, earmarked for cities, counties, schools and state agencies. That was up from $64.2 million in the second quarter. The Columbus Dispatch reports that Cleveland will get $2.69 million of the tax revenue money. Columbus will see $2.65 million, Cincinnati $2 million and Toledo $1.45 million. Another $22.6 million went into a fund distributed to public and charter schools, with $1.9 million apiece going to the Ohio Casino Control Commission and the Ohio Racing Commission. A law enforcement fund and problem gambling fund each receive $1.3 million. Ohio Casino Tax Revenue Up Slightly In 3rd Quarter Of Yearhttp://wyso.org/post/ohio-casino-tax-revenue-slightly-3rd-quarter-year
72545 as http://wyso.orgThu, 15 Oct 2015 22:41:37 +0000Ohio Casino Tax Revenue Up Slightly In 3rd Quarter Of YearWayne BakerBrad Martin has submitted his resignation as the superintendent of the Tecumseh School District in Clark County. The school board voted unanimously to accept his resignation on Tuesday, but deny any severance pay.Martin had been suspended without pay since January and recently accepted a plea deal related to three felony counts that stated he used school funds to support a gambling habit.An investigation by law enforcement revealed Brad Martin stole money from the school to spend more than 300 days gambling at a casino.Under the term's of Martin's deal, he plead guilty to three felony charges and will make restitution to the district from his State Teachers Retirement account. A pre-sentencing hearing on the felony charges has been set for June 30.School officials declined to make a statement and neither Martin nor his attorney returned calls seeking comment. Tecumseh Superintendent Resigns Following Guilty Pleahttp://wyso.org/post/tecumseh-superintendent-resigns-following-guilty-plea
65907 as http://wyso.orgFri, 15 May 2015 11:24:41 +0000Tecumseh Superintendent Resigns Following Guilty PleaWayne BakerThe superintendent of the Tecumseh School District in Clark County has accepted a plea deal related to three felony counts that stated he used school funds to support a gambling habit. An investigation by law enforcement revealed Brad Martin stole money from the school to spend more than 300 days gambling at a casino. Under the term's of Martin's deal, he plead guilty to three felony charges and will make restitution to the district from his State Teachers Retirement account. Interim superintendent Paula Crew, declined to go on air, but did state that the Tecumseh School District is seeking to terminate Martin. A hearing with the state board of education is scheduled for May 18 and a pre-sentencing hearing on the felony charges has been set for June 30.Brad Martin has been suspended without pay since January. Neither he nor his attorney returned calls seeking comment. Tecumseh Superintendent Pleads Guilty To Three Felony Chargeshttp://wyso.org/post/tecumseh-superintendent-pleads-guilty-three-felony-charges
65431 as http://wyso.orgTue, 05 May 2015 12:14:47 +0000Tecumseh Superintendent Pleads Guilty To Three Felony ChargesJo Ingles (Ohio Public Radio)Some state lawmakers say casino revenue hasn’t been as high as originally promised a few years ago when Ohio voters approved those casinos. So the lawmakers say they will introduce a bill that would rein in a tax break those casinos have been receiving. Republican State Senator Bill Coley has a message for casino owners who he says have broken promises made to voters. “You didn’t build what you promised to build. You are not employing the number of people you said you would employ, and when you didn’t build the facility that big, there’s a lot of construction jobs that didn’t get created because you built the facility a lot smaller than you were supposed to,” Coley said. Coley and other state lawmakers want to restrict the amount of a tax credit those operators receive. He says more than a half-million dollars has been given away so far. But in a written statement, Eric Schippers, with Penn National Gaming says Coley’s proposal is ill-conceived, misguided and could end up reducingState Lawmakers Considering Changes To Casino Tax Breakshttp://wyso.org/post/state-lawmakers-considering-changes-casino-tax-breaks
63934 as http://wyso.orgWed, 01 Apr 2015 12:13:05 +0000State Lawmakers Considering Changes To Casino Tax BreaksWayne BakerThe superintendent of the Tecumseh School District in Clark County was suspended without pay following allegations he used school funds to support a gambling habit. A school official states that superintendent Brad Martin is likely to lose his job. Interim superintendent Paula Crew declined to go on air, but did state that an investigation by law enforcement revealed Martin apparently stole money from the school to spend more than 100 days gambling at a casino.Crew also provided documentation the school board sent to Martin on Jan. 5, that alleges he misused sick and personal time, along with mileage reimbursements and funds for school supplies to gamble. The school board is going through the process to terminate his employment.According to Ohio law, Martin can request a hearing in front of the State Board of Education, and the Springfield News-Sun reports he did so in a letter dated January 13. The News-Sun also reports the school district has been subpoenaed for documents relating toTecumseh Superintendent Likely To Lose Job After Gambling With School Fundshttp://wyso.org/post/tecumseh-superintendent-likely-lose-job-after-gambling-school-funds
60854 as http://wyso.orgWed, 21 Jan 2015 22:44:20 +0000Tecumseh Superintendent Likely To Lose Job After Gambling With School FundsLewis Wallace The Hollywood Gaming racino in north Dayton is getting closer to its opening day. Parent company Penn National spent around $6 million on cleanup of the old Delphi plant site, and now a new building, a racetrack, and almost 2000 parking spots are going in at the corner of Needmore and Wagner Ford roads. Racinos—race tracks that offer gambling on horse races as well as video lottery terminals regulated by the Ohio Lottery—are fairly new in Ohio and have raised concerns about market saturation, and about gambling addiction. Gary DeWitt, who’s the new racino’s general manager, says the company will work with the state to train employees on what they call “responsible gaming.” “We want individuals that come in and utilize us as an entertainment option,” he says. “We don’t want customers coming in and not having a budget and going beyond that budget.” The main gaming room in the new racino will include a bar, food court, and 1,000 video lottery machines‚ which operate like slot machines.North Dayton Racino Says It Will Encourage “Responsible Gaming”http://wyso.org/post/north-dayton-racino-says-it-will-encourage-responsible-gaming
51939 as http://wyso.orgThu, 26 Jun 2014 15:12:55 +0000North Dayton Racino Says It Will Encourage “Responsible Gaming”Associated PressRevenues at each of Ohio's four casinos declined in December, leading to the worst statewide showing in the nine months that all four were open. Figures released yesterday by the Ohio Casino Control Commission show casino revenue statewide declined 9.8 percent. The casinos are in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo. The Cincinnati casino opened in March, and the others opened in 2012. The statewide December revenue of $63.2 million was the lowest full-month total with all four facilities open. Gambling options in Ohio expanded in December with two new horse racing tracks with slots-style video lottery terminals. Those new racinos opened north of Cincinnati and near Cleveland. Revenue For Ohio's Casinos Decreases In Decemberhttp://wyso.org/post/revenue-ohios-casinos-decreases-december
44383 as http://wyso.orgWed, 08 Jan 2014 12:04:00 +0000 Revenue For Ohio's Casinos Decreases In DecemberJerry KenneyAbout 20,000 people are expected to descend on Ohio’s newest racino Thursday. The new gaming facility in Turtlecreek Township is expected to be a boon to the local economy. Warren County Economic Development Director, Martin Russell, says Miami Valley Gaming’s new $175 million dollar racino means big revenue for the county. “I think that when you talk about jobs, you talk about capital investment, you talk about bringing in more people inside of Warren County...this is going to really broaden our economic base," ​said Russell. Russell added that the 700 new jobs created by the racino adds up to about $17 million dollars in taxable income, and he also expects a big increase in sales taxes. Also, the new racino is on land where a state prison used to be located, and Russell says that means a couple million dollars a year in property taxes. There’s one last source of money for the county - $85,000 dollars from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services for the preventionNew Racino Brings Cash To Local Governmenthttp://wyso.org/post/new-racino-brings-cash-local-government
43264 as http://wyso.orgThu, 12 Dec 2013 11:18:23 +0000New Racino Brings Cash To Local GovernmentKaren Kasler (Ohio Public Radio)There’s been a resolution proposed in the conflict over video raffle machines that veterans’ groups and fraternal lodges had been using to raise money for charity. The machines will be replaced by electronic games regulated by the state. Some 1,200 so-called “next generation machines” will go out to those groups using raffle machines the Attorney General has ruled illegal. Danielle Frizzi Babb with the Ohio Lottery says the governor’s office approached her agency. “They said they wanted us to come up with a viable option for the veterans’ and fraternal organizations. And the multi-purpose next generation is the solution.” The Ohio Veterans and Fraternal Charitable Coalition wanted legislation to resolve this. Bill Seagraves says the machines raised $5.5 million dollars in the last two years, and that he feels blindsided. “I wished they had talked to us about it before they did it, so we could have at least had some input rather than just drop it on us.” Frizzi Babb says it’s hard toOhio Lottery Offers Veterans Posts Legal Gaming Optionhttp://wyso.org/post/ohio-lottery-offers-veterans-posts-legal-gaming-option
41281 as http://wyso.orgTue, 29 Oct 2013 10:35:00 +0000Ohio Lottery Offers Veterans Posts Legal Gaming OptionAssociated PressOpponents of an Ohio law that effectively bans storefront sweepstakes parlors have fallen more than 70,000 signatures short of the number needed to place a repeal request on the November 2014 ballot. Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted said Monday that 160,008 of the nearly 434,000 signatures submitted by the Committee to Protect Ohio Jobs were valid, well below the more than 231,000 required. The group has 10 days to submit additional signatures. A committee spokesman said hundreds of workers will begin that effort Tuesday. If successful, enforcement of the law would be suspended until next November's vote. Ohioans Against Illegal Gambling, which is backed by casinos, had urged county elections boards to carefully scrutinize the signatures. The group has claimed that signature gatherers misrepresented the referendum's purpose. Group Lacks Signatures in Internet Cafe Fighthttp://wyso.org/post/group-lacks-signatures-internet-cafe-fight
39678 as http://wyso.orgTue, 24 Sep 2013 12:04:00 +0000Group Lacks Signatures in Internet Cafe FightDevelopers say construction of a Dayton "racino" starts this week. Groundbreaking on the state's newest horse track equipped with slot-like gambling machines is set to begin this morning. The Dayton Daily News reports that the $125 million Hollywood at Dayton Raceway is being built on 119 acres that was the site of an auto parts manufacturing plant. It's set to open in mid-2014. The racino will feature harness racing plus 1,500 video lottery terminals, along with restaurants and food concessions. Its owner - Penn National Gaming Inc. - says the racino will create 1,000 new jobs at the track and 1,000 construction jobs while it's being built. A new racino is also planned for Austintown, in the Youngstown area. Dayton Racino Construction Begins This Weekhttp://wyso.org/post/dayton-racino-construction-begins-week
33896 as http://wyso.orgWed, 29 May 2013 12:04:00 +0000Dayton Racino Construction Begins This WeekAssociated PressThe Ohio State Racing Commission has given the green light to new "racinos" in Dayton and in the Youngstown area. The commission on Wednesday approved the transfer of racing licenses from other Ohio tracks to the new tracks to be built on the site of a former auto parts manufacturing plant on Dayton's north side, as well as one in Austin. The owner of both tracks, Penn National Gaming, was able to satisfy the commission's concerns that the facilities didn't include enough seating for horse racing. Officials said the construction process can now begin, and both tracks are expected to open next year. New rules allow Ohio's horse tracks to add slots-like gambling. Some tracks are renovating to add the video terminal games, while others are building new tracks. Dayton 'Racino' Approved by Commissionhttp://wyso.org/post/dayton-racino-approved-commission
32560 as http://wyso.orgThu, 02 May 2013 16:13:08 +0000Dayton 'Racino' Approved by CommissionAssociated PressAn Ohio Senate panel has approved a bill to immediately halt the expansion of Internet cafes. The measure that cleared the Senate's government oversight committee on Tuesday would extend a current moratorium on the opening of new sweepstakes gambling operations until June 2014. It would require operators of current facilities to file more thorough affidavits with the state, or they could face a fine. A full Senate vote could come Wednesday. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine calls the cafes illegal gambling operations. He filed lawsuits Tuesday against three facilities that failed to file affidavits after the statewide moratorium went into effect in 2012. The industry calls them legal. Patrons buy cards for phone and Internet time with chances to play computer games that operate like slot machines with cash prizes. Ohio Senate Panel Passes Internet Cafe Moratoriumhttp://wyso.org/post/ohio-senate-panel-passes-internet-cafe-moratorium
32500 as http://wyso.orgWed, 01 May 2013 10:35:00 +0000Ohio Senate Panel Passes Internet Cafe MoratoriumAssociated PressOhio officials have delayed approving plans for two new racetrack casinos. The Ohio State Racing Commission says the developer's designs for proposed racinos in Dayton and in Austintown, near Youngstown, don't include enough seating for horse race spectators. The Dayton Daily News reports that race commissioners plan to wait at least a week before deciding to approve the plans, which include slots-like video terminals at both locations. The developer, Penn National, says adding any more grandstand seating would mean the company would have to re-draw its architectural plans from scratch. Both racinos are expected to open in spring 2014. The racing commission must approve Penn National's request to move Raceway Park in Toledo to Dayton and Beluah Park in Grove City to Austintown. Decision on Ohio Racinos Delayedhttp://wyso.org/post/decision-ohio-racinos-delayed
30630 as http://wyso.orgThu, 21 Mar 2013 16:09:19 +0000Decision on Ohio Racinos DelayedAssociated PressThe Ohio State Racing Commission is asking developers of two new racinos in Ohio to add more seating for people who want to watch live horse racing. Commissioners say the tracks in Dayton and near Youngstown that will feature slots-like video terminals need to put a little more attention on live-racing. Officials of Penn National Gaming say they'll come back to the commission on Wednesday with more information and plans. But a company official says the developers think the current plans have enough seats to meet demand. Penn National's plan is to move Raceway Park out of Toledo to a new site in Dayton. It also wants to relocate Beulah Park's thoroughbred racing from suburban Columbus to a new track near the Ohio Turnpike just outside Youngstown. Ohio's New Racinos Told: Don't Forget Horse Racinghttp://wyso.org/post/ohios-new-racinos-told-dont-forget-horse-racing
30454 as http://wyso.orgMon, 18 Mar 2013 12:35:00 +0000Ohio's New Racinos Told: Don't Forget Horse RacingDayton city officials have approved development plans for a $125 million racino on the former site of an automotive plant. Construction is expected to begin this spring on the harness-racing track, which will include a 600-seat grandstand and 1,500 slots-like video terminals. It's being built on the site of a razed Delphi plant and is expected to open in mid-2014. The Dayton Daily News reports that project is expected to create 1,000 jobs and another 1,000 during construction. Penn National Gaming's applications to state commissions to relocate Raceway Park from Toledo to Dayton and to become a video lottery sales agent are pending. One racino in the state - at Scioto Downs in Columbus - is already operating. Six others are in various stages of licensing and construction. City Leaders Clear Way for Dayton Racinohttp://wyso.org/post/city-leaders-clear-way-dayton-racino
28051 as http://wyso.orgThu, 24 Jan 2013 12:05:00 +0000City Leaders Clear Way for Dayton RacinoAssociated PressA court has heard competing arguments on whether an anti-gambling group should be allowed to go forward with its challenge to Gov. John Kasich's decision to allow slots-like video lottery terminals at Ohio horse tracks. The Ohio Roundtable was denied legal standing in May to bring its lawsuit. The complaint alleges Kasich's authorization of racinos is unconstitutional because voters must approve expansions of the lottery. On Thursday, the Roundtable's lawyer told the 10th District Court of Appeals in Columbus that the group should be allowed to make its case because it represents Ohio residents who will be harmed by expanded gambling. Assistant Attorney General Aaron Epstein argued the group couldn't say how racetrack slots would harm Ohioans any differently than casinos, which are legal. The three-judge panel is deliberating. Lawyers Spar in Challenge to Ohio Racetrack Slotshttp://wyso.org/post/lawyers-spar-challenge-ohio-racetrack-slots
27752 as http://wyso.orgThu, 17 Jan 2013 17:15:27 +0000 Lawyers Spar in Challenge to Ohio Racetrack SlotsA gaming company says it plans to start laying the foundation for a new horse racing track in southwest Ohio in April, if weather permits demolition and environmental remediation work remains on schedule. Penn National Gaming Inc. plans to open Hollywood Slots at Dayton Raceway on the site of a shuttered auto plant. But the track still faces some obstacles. The Dayton Daily News reports that the gaming company's applications to state commissions to relocate Raceway Park from Toledo to Dayton and to become a video lottery sales agent are pending. A hearing is also planned for an appeal of a court ruling in a lawsuit filed by gambling opponents. They are challenging whether the state can allow video slots at the horse tracks without going before the voters. Company to Lay Foundation for Dayton Racino in Aprilhttp://wyso.org/post/company-lay-foundation-dayton-racino-april
27591 as http://wyso.orgMon, 14 Jan 2013 13:04:00 +0000 Company to Lay Foundation for Dayton Racino in April